Connector link for butterfly valve

Abstract

A connector link for use in an actuation system for a butterfly valve has a central web extending between two generally cylindrical ends. There are bores formed in each of two generally cylindrical ends and bushings extend axially upwardly from a nominal face at each of the ends. One of the ends has a bore formed at a radius defined as a first distance. A distance between center points of the bores in the first and second ends is defined as a second distance. The ratio of the second distance to the first distance is greater than or equal to 19.2772 and less than or equal to 19.4125. A valve and method are also disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector link for use in an actuation system for a butterfly valve comprising:
 a central web extending between two generally cylindrical ends; 
 bores formed in bushings at each of the two ends and said bushings extending upwardly from a nominal face at each of said ends, a first of said bushings ends having said bore formed at a radius defined as a first distance, and a distance between center points of said bores in said first bushing and a second of said bushings being defined as a second distance; 
 a ratio of said second distance to said first distance being greater than or equal to 19.2772 and less than or equal to 19.4125; and 
 wherein a radius of said bore in said second bushing is equal to said first distance. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector link as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said connector link is formed of a stainless steel, and said bushings are formed of a cobalt alloy. 
     
     
       3. A butterfly valve and actuation system comprising:
 a butterfly valve pivotally mounted within a fluid flow duct and an actuation system including a piston attached to one end of a connector link and the connector link including an arm attached at a second end to pivot said butterfly valve, with the connector link including a central web extending between two generally cylindrical ends; 
 bores formed in bushings at each of said two ends and said bushings extending upwardly from a nominal face at each of said ends, a first of said bushings having said bore formed at a radius defined as a first distance, and a distance between center points of said bores in said first bushing and a second of said bushings being defined as a second distance, and a ratio of said second distance to said first distance being greater than or equal to 19.2772 and less than or equal to 19.4125; 
 wherein a radius of said bore at said second bushing is equal to said first distance; and 
 wherein an intermediate link connects said connector link to said butterfly valve. 
 
     
     
       4. The butterfly valve and actuation system as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said connector link is formed of a stainless steel, and said bushings are formed of a cob alt alloy. 
     
     
       5. A method of replacing a connector link comprising the steps of:
 removing a connector link from a butterfly valve assembly including a piston fixed to pivot a first end of the connector link, and a second end of the connector link attached to an intermediate arm for pivoting a butterfly valve within a fluid flow duct, and including the step of replacing the removed connector link; 
 wherein the replaced connector link has a central web extending between two generally cylindrical ends, bores formed in bushings at each of the two ends and said bushings extending upwardly from a nominal face at each of said bushings, a first of said bushings having said bore formed at a radius defined as a first distance, and a distance between center points of said bores in said first bushing and a second of said bushings being defined as a second distance, and a ratio of said second distance to said first distance being greater than or equal to 19.2772 and less than or equal to 19.4125; and 
 wherein a radius of said bore at said second bushing is equal to said first distance. 
 
     
     
       6. The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said connector link is formed of a stainless steel, and said bushings are formed of a cob alt alloy.